SpEd Paraprofessional - Significant Support Needs (SSN)

Academy School District 20•Colorado Springs, CO

1d•$21 - $22•Onsite

About The Position

The SpEd Paraprofessional - Significant Support Needs (SSN) performs day-to-day activities supporting special education students under a teacher’s supervision. The paraprofessional does not make diagnostic or long-term educational decisions. The role supports the principal and classroom teachers in implementing SSN programs and promoting a positive, safe learning environment. It also assists licensed special education teachers, occupational and physical therapists, nurses, and other evaluative staff in carrying out goals for students with severe or profound disabilities. Assignments may take place in non-traditional learning environments, including off-campus work sites. The position addresses current student needs at Discovery Canyon Campus Middle School; if needs change, the employee may be reassigned to another school during the school year. The role includes carrying out lesson plans and instructional programs, reinforcing teacher-introduced material with individuals and small groups, and supporting students with classroom, curriculum, community-based, and daily living activities. Duties may include feeding, toileting, dressing, transfers, delegated medical and nursing tasks, wheelchair maneuvering, first aid, behavioral support, and physical therapy equipment use. The paraprofessional collects assessment data, maintains student files and program materials, completes daily paperwork, and collaborates with teachers, employers, and student evaluation teams. Required certifications must be obtained and maintained, and ongoing and job-specific training is expected. Work is generally in a classroom and may also include visits to homes, schools, offices, or job sites. The environment may vary from quiet to loud and may involve exposure to bodily fluids, fumes, conflict, or student medical emergencies. Scheduled school/work hours are required; extended hours or days may be directed by the supervisor. The position is scheduled for 37.5 hours per week, 7.5 hours per day, for 176 weekdays per year.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing with students and adults in a variety of settings.
Computer proficiency, including office productivity applications and the ability to use software systems to create, access, input, retrieve, and manipulate information.
Ability to maintain accurate records, manage documents and files, and protect confidential information.
Ability to follow oral and written instructions, work independently, manage simultaneous demands, and set clear priorities.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, families, the public, coworkers, administrators, and other professionals.
Knowledge of office methods and procedures, district policies and functions, and special education programming and associated legal requirements relevant to assigned students.
Strong organizational, interpersonal, listening, written, verbal, collaborative, and problem-solving skills; attention to detail and effective time management.
Commitment to student education and a student-centered, relationship-focused approach; ability to promote a positive climate and community.
Ability to work assigned days, hours, locations, and duties, including possible extended school/work hours or days as directed.
Obtain and maintain certifications required to support students with special needs.
Willingness to attend CO-TOP and other professional learning, OT-PT training, and ongoing training specific to student needs, including vision, hearing, motor, or Braille support.
Willingness to be trained to carry out delegated nursing practices.
Ability to meet students’ physical and self-help needs, including toileting, feeding, dressing, and transfers; physically restrain or escort students according to applicable guidelines when necessary.
Ability to lift, push, pull, or carry up to 50 pounds; perform a two-person lift of 50 pounds each and potentially greater lifts depending on assignment and student needs; climb stairs, ladders, or stools; and reach, grasp, and operate equipment.
Ability to sit, stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, and perform visual and auditory monitoring.

Responsibilities

Support the principal and classroom teachers in implementing SSN programs and maintaining a positive, safe learning environment.
Assist special education teachers, therapists, nurses, and evaluative staff with implementing student goals.
Carry out instructional programs and lessons in designated learning environments and reinforce teacher-introduced material with individuals and small groups.
Support students with meals, feeding, communication, oral-motor, sensory-integration, physical IEP goals, toileting, dressing, mobility, and other self-help needs.
Assist with assigned medical tasks, delegated nursing practices, first aid, emergency care, and infection-control procedures.
Maneuver and secure wheelchairs, use physical therapy support equipment, and assist students with transfers and movement between locations.
Monitor student behavior contracts and reward systems, and use Nonviolent Crisis Intervention techniques when appropriate.
Assist with non-standardized testing, tutoring, recitation, reading, curriculum tasks, games, teaching aids, and classroom materials.
Support students in community-based settings and coordinate assignments or job tasks with classroom teachers and employers.
Monitor students during recess, hall duty, passing periods, bus loading, computer use, and use of swimming pools, weight rooms, or therapy pools.
Integrate assistive technology into classrooms in collaboration with teachers.
Collect assessment and monitoring data; maintain student files, records, inventories, and program materials; and complete daily paperwork and clerical duties.
Attend required pre-job and ongoing training and meetings, and obtain and maintain certifications necessary to support students with special needs.
Report consistently as scheduled, perform other assigned duties, and attain proficient or higher evaluations on established performance standards.